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Program facts 
This ISBE ESL endorsement allows certified teachers to teach English as a second language (ESL) pre-K-12.
Program begins in August. Apply now to secure your spot.
Your coursework will focus on language and culture, English as a second language (ESL) teaching methods, language assessment, and more. Your endorsement can be added at any grade level even if the underlying teaching endorsement on the PEL is a different grade range.
This 18 credit-hour ESL Endorsement Certificate is intended for certified teachers who wish to expand their professional opportunities and to enhance their teaching skills by adding an ESL Endorsement Certificate to their portfolio. Students can take endorsement courses at Harper College while they are pursuing their AA degrees. However, they can only earn the endorsement certificate after they complete an undergraduate degree and earn a teaching license. The coursework for this certificate satisfies the requirements of the ISBE ESL endorsement, including the 100 hours of clinical experience. This endorsement allows certified teachers to teach ESL in grades they are certified to teach. Applicants must complete an application to the State to have this endorsement put on their teaching licenses.
| Number | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required | ||
| LNG 105 | Introduction to Language and Linguistics | 3 |
Description: Explores language - its origins, properties, use, structure, and meaning. Studies sound systems, word-information systems, syntatic systems, and derivations of meaning from spoken and written forms. Includes first and second language acquisition and properties of visual languages. Lecture Hours: 3 Lab Hours: N/A Contact Hours: 3 Class Schedule: Summer 2025 | Fall 2025 | ||
| LNG 205 | Language and Culture | 3 |
Description: Explores the relationship between language and culture. Includes the language socialization of children, gender differences in language, standard varieties and dialects of language and the effect of language on thought. Examines the nature of language in power relationships. Lecture Hours: 3 Lab Hours: N/A Contact Hours: 3 Class Schedule: Summer 2025 | Fall 2025 | ||
| LNG 220 | Methods of Teaching English as a Second Language | 3 |
Description: Introduces the teaching of English to speakers of other languages. Intended for those who contemplate a career working with non-native speakers of English. Through a program of lectures, readings, discussions, observations and practical teaching exercises, students will explore the educational contexts in which English is taught and learned. In addition, the course will offer practical techniques for teaching and assessing the skill areas of listening and speaking, reading, writing and grammar. The foundation of the methods explored will be based on theories in applied linguistics. Lecture Hours: 3 Lab Hours: N/A Contact Hours: 3 Class Schedule: Summer 2025 | Fall 2025 | ||
| LNG 230 | Second Language Assessment | 3 |
Description: Explores concepts, issues, principles, and design of second language assessments. Includes formal and informal evaluation of reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills. Lecture Hours: 3 Lab Hours: 0 Contact Hours: 3 Class Schedule: Summer 2025 | Fall 2025 | ||
| LNG 235 | Second Language Acquisition (SLA) | 3 |
Description: Explores important theories in second language acquisition (SLA), especially as they relate to language teaching. Includes age, psychological factors, sociocultural factors, and linguistic factors. Examines the connections between theory and teaching practice in the language classroom. Prerequisite: LNG 105 or permission of instructor. Lecture Hours: 3 Lab Hours: 0 Contact Hours: 3 Class Schedule: Summer 2025 | Fall 2025 | ||
| LNG 240 | Introduction to Pedagogical Grammar | 3 |
Description: Explore theories in teaching grammar to second language learners. Teachers will study syntactic and discourse structures of English and common mistakes in those structures made by second language learners. Students will practice and create classroom materials designed to help English language learners in the oral and written communication. This course is an elective component for Illinois State Board of Education certification in Teaching English as a Second Language. Lecture Hours: 3 Lab Hours: 0 Contact Hours: 3 Class Schedule: Summer 2025 | Fall 2025 | ||
| Total Hours | 18 | |
Find out what students are saying about the ESL Endorsement program at Harper College.
"I carry with me an understanding that each of humankind’s thousands of languages has its own logic and that the language we speak is at the very heart of who we are." — Anna
"I now have a wide range of job options at my disposal that span a large range of fields and allow me to travel." — Gabrielle
"Being able to teach lessons in real Harper classrooms gave me more confidence in front of the students using what I had studied for the past year." — Tessa
"From the scholarly exploration of sociolinguistics to the practical experience of teaching a real class, each course was both engaging and enlightening." — Ron
For more information about the ESL Endorsement program, contact Admission Outreach at 847.925.6700, or submit a request information form. You can also apply online.